Time Out, episode 148

This tape features a 1985 episode of "Time Out," a weekly sports program that was hosted by a number of Chicago area journalists and sportscasters. This week's commentators are Sports Illustrated correspondent Rick Telander, WBMX Sportscaster and Assistant Coach for DePaul University's Men's Basketball team Kenny McReynolds, WIND reporter Fran Spielman, and former NBA star John Mengelt.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with a few promos.

00:24Copy video clip URL Opening sequence for the program.

00:47Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot for the four commentators in the back room on the “Time Out” TV set. The narrator gives a brief overview of the program which includes: a commentary from Bill Veeck on the selections and omissions from the Baseball Hall of Fame, and interview with Sociology Professor Harry Edwards about the status of African-American athletes in America, and an interview with Gary Fencik about the Chicago Bears’ loss to the San Fransisco 49ers.

01:31Copy video clip URL The four commentators begin to talk about the Bears’ embarrassing loss to the San Fransisco 49ers. They quickly move on to talk about Michael Jordan’s rise in the NBA. This cuts into a segment on the “A Night of Champions” charity event.

03:45Copy video clip URL Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman Gary Fencik speaks with a number of Chicago area athletes who are involved with the charity including: Orlando Woolridge, Ryne Sandberg, and Carlton Fisk. This lasts for several minutes.

05:48Copy video clip URL Gary Fencik sits down with Mengelt to talk about the Bears’ loss to the San Fransisco 49ers over the weekend. The two discuss what went wrong and what next year will bring for the team. This is then followed by some footage of Fencik hard at work on the football field against the 49ers.

09:18Copy video clip URL Cut back to the four commentators who go on to talk about the recent poor performances of the DePaul Basketball team and player Dallas Comegy’s current health problems. This eventually cuts into an interview with Roger Nielson, who acted as coach for the Chicago Blackhawks in place of Head Coach Orvel Tessier who was absent due to the death of his father. Nielson talks about coaching the team. Other Blackhawks players talk about the team’s season goals as well.

12:35Copy video clip URL Cut back to the commentators who introduce an interview with Sociology Professor Harry Edwards.

13:11Copy video clip URL Telander sits down with Harry Edwards to talk about the plight of the African-American athlete. Edwards talks about his involvement in various social awareness groups and his inspiration to speak out on behalf of the black athlete. “The problem was essentially that there is a systematic rip off going on of black athletes in American society and as a result there is a systematic rip off being perpetuated for black society as a whole.” Edwards eloquently explains his point and goes on to focus on the lack of African-American influence in sports management positions. Edwards finishes the interview by saying, “I think that James Baldwin was quite correct that to be black and aware in America is to live in a constant state of rage. What we must understand is that rage is not sufficient, that we must transform that energy into creative intellectual, a motivation to analyze, look at the problem, and begin to deal with it intelligently.”

18:59Copy video clip URL Cut back to the four commentators who begin debate the exploitation of athletes in American sports, specifically in the NCAA. They also talk about the effect of legal drug use in the sporting world. This eventually cuts into a commentary with Bill Veeck.

21:26Copy video clip URL Roger Wallenstein sits down with Bill Veeck to talk about the omission of baseball legend Nelson Fox from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Veeck expresses his anger over Fox not being included in this year’s group of inductees. He goes into detail about the injustice in the voting process and his reasons behind wanting Nelson Fox in the Hall of Fame.

24:55Copy video clip URL Cut to the “Time Out sports Almanac” segment.

25:42Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of the four commentators who continue to talk about possible Baseball Hall of Fame inductees. They quickly begin to make their sports predictions for the week. The credits roll shortly afterward and are followed by a station ID.

29:28Copy video clip URL Tape ends.